Characteristics of blood flow in intrauterine growth-restricted fetuses with hypercoiled cord

Objective To clarify the characteristics of fetoplacental blood flow of gro wth-restricted fetuses with hypercoiled umbilical cord. Subjects Eight growth-restricted fetuses with hypercoiled cord. Methods Flow velocity waveforms of the umbilical cord artery and vein, feta l abdominal aorta and fetal inferior vena cava were analyzed. Results The resistance index in the umbilical artery in the hypercoiled cas es was lower than that in normal fetuses. Early-diastolic reversed pow was observed in the abdominal aorta in some cases. In all cases, umbilical veno us pulsation was observed in the entire cord until delivery In one case, fe tal heart failure occurred, resulting in premature delivery. An atrophic ty pe of single umbilical artery was observed in four cases. Conclusion Fetal blood flow disturbance caused by a hypercoiled umbilical c ord may be a cause of growth restriction.